Protected binding post



' 31, 1954 w. c. HASSELHORN 2,688,105

PROTECTED BINDING POST Filed Aug. 30, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

zg/fh fladdffzaw 50 V j/wflamw a Patented Aug. 31, 1954 PROTECTED BINDING POST Walter C. Hasselhorn, Chicago, 111., assignor to Cook Electric Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 30, 1951, Serial No. 244,361

15 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a binding post structure and more particularly to a structure of this type to which a unitary lightning arrester may readily be connected.

It is an object of this invention to provide in a binding post structure a simple and inexpensive form of arrester protection which may be readily adopted and put into use in already existing installations without requiring additional expensive equipment and which will give the proper protection against sudden surges of high-potential currents. While the arrester unit is simple and easy to install, it will be understood that it also has equal utility in new installations and uses, as will readily appear.

A further object of the invention is to provide a binding post structure that may be readily mounted in position on its support and receive a detachable arrester unit, which, when in place on the binding post, will bring one of its electrodes in conducting relation in the line and will ground the other of its electrodes to the support.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a structure of the foregoing type which contains a few simple parts easily assembled and capable of being maintained in operating condition over long periods of time. The mounting structure for the binding post readily receives the arrester unit in detachable relation so that the arrester unit may be replaced without requiring any disturbance of the binding post parts or the service on the line.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mounting for a binding post which includes a few simple parts that detachingly hold the binding post to its support, these parts comprising a shank preferably extending through the support and insulated therefrom and an arrestercarrying member in the form of a housing, there being an insulation member carrying one of the terminals of the binding post and providing the ready means for affording a connection with one of the electrodes of the arrester unit. This insulation part may be molded with the terminal embedded therein, or otherwise associated therewith, so that a line connection may be conveniently made therewith.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detail description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a transverse section of a structure embodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a slightly modified form thereof.

As illustrated in the drawing, a structure embodying the present invention may include a mounting or a support 2 on which binding post 3 is mounted. Binding post 3 may be of any design with its projecting outer end functioning as a terminal to which a line conductor may be attached. This binding post will preferably have a shank 4 extending through an opening 5 in support 2. Shank 4 may be internally threaded as at 6 to receive a bolt I, there being a metal washer 8 carried by bolt I for holding an insulation member 9 in position. The upper end of insulation member 9 is stepped inwardly and upwardly so that a neck I0 thereof extends into opening 5 of support 2 and keeps shank 4 centered in this opening 5 and in insulated relation with respect to support 2. A washer or collar I I of insulation material is disposed between base I2 of binding post 3 and support 2.

Insulation member 9 is preferably in concentric relation to shank 4. It may have the other terminal I4 of the line suitably carried thereby and provided in electrical conducting relation with shank 4 of binding post 3 through, say, a metallic sleeve I5 engaging washer 8 and bolt 7 threaded into shank 4. It is found that an exceptionally novel assembly design operating very effeetively in the present arrangement may be had if terminal I4 and sleeve I5 are embedded in insulation member 9 during the molding of the latter. As illustrated, insulation member 9 may have an extension I6 for lending added support to terminal I4. Terminal I4 may be connected to sleeve I5 by a grooved joint as shown, but any other suitable connection will serve the purpose.

A housing or enclosure member I8 surrounds the insulation member 9 and it is held in attached relation to support 2 by an inwardly turned flange I9 seated against the outermost step of insulation member 9. It is found that insulation member 9 may be uniquely formed in housing I8 during the molding thereof by placing this housing and terminal member I4 in the cavity of the mold and causing the insulation material to flow about the terminal member and into the form of this insulation member. Thus, insulation member 9 will be embedded in housing I8 and terminal member I4 will be embedded in this insulation member. Extension I6 may be easily formed and keep terminal member I4 insulated from housing I8.

It will be apparent that securing threaded bolt 1 into position will clamp the parts thus described into position against support 2 and complete the line circuit through binding post 3 to 3 terminal I l, the head of bolt 1 also remaining in conducting relation in this line circuit. The arrangement of these parts allows for simple and eifective arrester protection by the use of an arrester unit 22 adapted to be detachably connected to housing 18. The arrester unit 22 is preferably of the button type and includes a cup-shaped housing 24 having an externally threaded portion 25 for engagement with a threaded portion 26 of housing 18. Housing 2% is adapted to receive a pair of carbon blocks 2'! and 28 held apart at a predetermined distance to form spark gap 29 by a suitable dielectric member 3!]. Dielectric membertflis in the formof a ring having its inner edge 3 I disposed within I grooves 32 in carbon blocks 21 and 28, these grooves 32 acting to collect particles disintegrating from carbon blocks 21 and 28 as the result of sparking across gap 29and heretofore tending to collect at edge 31. Carbon blocks 2'5 and 2B and dielectric member 30- are'held centered and inassembledrelation by an insulation sleeve 33 having a top flange 3% holding spring members 35- between carbon block 28 and base 36 of electrode 31. Insulation sleeve 33 is maintained in position, say, by a split ring 3 8-that may be-seated in a groove 39 cut in the insideface of housing 24.

When arrester unit 22 is detachably fastened in position by threading housing 24 in engaging relation with housing It, electrode 3! of arrester unit 22-will bebrought firmly into electric conducting relation with bolt 1, a slight pressure being maintained by reason of spring members 3ii which also keep carbon blocks 27 and 28 firmly pressed together with dielectric member 36 therebetween whereby tomaintain spark gap 29 of a predetermined distance. A sudden surge of high-potential-current willjump the gap 29 and be grounded through housing M and housing l8" to the grounded support 2.

Housings I8 and 2 provide a closure that effectively prevents accumulation of dirt and other foreign matterand also prevents moisture from reaching the carbon blocks Hand 28 to destroy or reduce'the eifectivenessof spark gap 29. The arrangement is' exceptionally simple because housing zll'efiectively acts as'the second electrode for arrester unit 22" to" ground current surges through housing l8 directly to grounded support 2; Thus, housing parts i8 and 2'4 serve the dual purpose of eifectively enclosing the parts of the assembly, both of the binding post andof the lightning arrester, and of acting as adequate grounding members for the current surges when they occur and jump the spark gap 29.

A modified form of structure is shown in Fig. 2. Binding post '3 has its shank 4 passing through opening in groundedsupport 2'. Shank 41' is heldcentrally spaced and in insulated relation with grounded support 2 by insulation member 4i) having an upstanding flange Ill surrounding shank (land lying in opening 5. Insulation member 40 is likewise provided with an extension designated 42 to receive terminal 33 embedded in insulation member ll]; Housing 44 surrounds insulating member 48. and holds the latter in position when bolt 45v is threaded into position in shank 4. In this instance, bolt 45' may have an enlarged head with an upstanding shoulder 66 seated in a central cut-away portion 41 in insulation member 40. The line circuit is completed through shank 4 by shoulder 48 bearing against terminal member 43. Terminal member 43 isalso molded in member w as illustratedin the drawing.

Lightning arrester unit 48 is constructed substantially the same as arrester unit 22. The parts of the arrester unit, such as the carbon blocks, the dielectric spacing ring, the spring member and the inner electrode may be assembled within a casing preferably at the factory to assure the maintenance of a predetermined spark gap between the carbon blocks. If, for any reason, it should be desirable to remove these parts of the arrester unit, this sub-assembly within casing 50 may be removed and a new assembly inserted in housing 5| without interrupting the service on the line.

While-the housing of the arrester unit is shown in both" embodiments as being attached to the binding post assembly by a threaded connection, it will be obvious that any suitable readily detachable connection may be used without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Also, while both the housing of the binding post and the housing of the arrester unit very effectively act asan enclosure for the parts of this-binding post, it: will be understood: that current surges may be grounded through any otherpart to: the part-- carried ingrounded-relation with support 2.

Without furtherelaboration, the foregoing willso fully explain the gist of my invention thatothers may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt thesame for use under varying conditions of service, without eliminating certain features, which may properly be said to. constitute the essential items-of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims;

I claim:

in Incombination, a bindingpost assembly, a grounded mounting for the same, said bindingpost assembly comprising a post having a terminal connection on one side of said mounting and a shank extending through" said mounting to the other side-thereof; insulation means carried by said shank, a second terminal connee tioncarried by saidinsulation'means, means for bringing saidsecond terminal inelectrical con ducting relation with said shank, a' conductor member held by said last means" in electricalconducting relation with said grounded mounting; and an" arrester forming a: part or saidas= sembly; one electrode of saidv arrester'being' in" electrical conducting relation with said last" means, the other electrode of said. arrester-constituting the attaching means of said" arrester and being secured'to' said conductor member.

2. In combination, a binding. post, a grounded mounting for the same,.said. binding post comprising a terminal post extending through said" mounting from one to the. other side, means forlocking said terminalpost'iniposition; said means including an insulating part, an electrical conducting part and a threaded. connecting part,, said threaded connecting part holding all said partsin assembled'relation on one side of said mounting with said conducting part secured to one said side of said'mounting" and said terminal post centered in insulated relation with said mounting, and an arrester carried by said" assembled parts, said arrester" including: an elec trade in electrical relation to said terminal post and a second electrodein' electrical relation to said conductingpart'.

3-. In combination, a binding post, a-groun'de'dmounting for the same, said binding post comprising a terminal posti extending through said mounting from one t'o-the other side, means for'" locking saidterminal post in insulated relation with said mounting, said locking means including an insulated part, an electrical conducting part and a mechanical fastening part, and an arrester carried by said parts including an electrode in electrical relation to said terminal post and a second electrode in electrical relation to said grounded mounting through said conducting part.

4. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mounting for the same, said binding post extending in insulated relation through said grounded mounting, terminal connections for said binding post on opposite sides of said grounded mounting, a conductor part in electrical conducting relation with said grounded mounting, an insulated part separating one of said terminal connections from said conductor part, a fastening part for holding said one terminal connection, said insulated part and said conductor part in position against said grounded mounting but with said one terminal connection in electrical relation with said binding post, and an arrester carried by said parts, said arrester having an electrode in electrical relation to said binding post and an electrode in electrical relation to said grounded mounting.

5. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mounting for the same, said binding post extending in insulated relation through said grounded mounting, terminal connections for said binding post on opposite sides of said grounded mounting, an arrester carried by said binding post on one side of said grounded mounting, said arrester including an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said binding post, an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said grounded mounting, and a detachable connecting member having means for detachably connecting said arrester to said binding post.

6. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mounting for the same, said binding post extending in insulated relation through said grounded mounting, terminal connections for said binding post on opposite sides of said grounded mounting, an arrester carried by said binding post on one side of said grounded mounting, said arrester including an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said binding post, an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said grounded mounting, a detachable connecting member having means for detachably connecting said arrester to said binding post, and an insulation part for keeping one of said terminal connections in insulated relation with said grounded connection.

7. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mounting for the same, said binding post extending in insulated relation through said grounded mounting, terminal connections for said binding post on opposite sides of said grounded mounting, an arrester carried by said binding post on one side of said grounded mounting, said arrester including an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said binding post, an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said grounded mounting, a detachable connecting member having means for detachably connecting said arrester to said binding post, and an insulation part for keeping one of said terminal connections in insulated relation with said grounded connection, said last terminal connection being embedded in said insulation part.

8. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mounting for the same, said binding post extending. in insulated relation through said grounded mounting, terminal connections for said binding post on opposite sidesv of said grounded mounting, an arrester carried by said binding post on one side of said grounded mounting, said arrester including an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said binding post, an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said grounded mounting, a detachable connecting member having means for detachably connecting said arrester to said binding post, and an insulation part for keeping one of said terminal connections in insulated relation with said grounded connection, said last terminal connection being embedded in said insulation part, there being means to bring said last terminal connection in conducting relation with said binding post.

9. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mounting for the same, said binding post extending in insulated relation through said grounded mounting, terminal connections for said binding post on opposite sides of said grounded mounting, an arrester carried by said binding post on one side of said grounded mounting, said arrester including an electrode in electrical conducting relation with said binding post and a second electrode in electrical conducting relation with said grounded mounting, said electrodes being adjustably supported in predetermined spaced relationship.

10. In combination, a binding post, line terminal connections for said binding post, a grounded mounting for said binding post, means for attaching said binding post to said mounting in insulated relationship, and an arrester for said binding post, said arrester having an electrode electrically connected to said binding post and an electrode detachably grounded to said mounting.

11. In combination, a binding post, line terminal connections for said binding post, a grounded mounting for said binding post, means for attaching said binding post to said mounting in insulated relationship, and an arrester for said binding post, said arrester having its electrodes electrically connected respectively to said binding post and to said mounting through said attaching means.

12. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mounting for the same, said binding post having a shank passing through said mounting, a grounded housing surrounding said shank, an insulation member disposed between said shank and said housing, a bolt secured to said shank to clamp said housing against said mounting and to hold said insulation member in position, and an arrester detachably secured to said housing to ground one of its electrodes through said housing to said mounting and to bring the other of its electrodes in abutting engagement with said bolt.

13. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mountin for the same, said binding post having a shank passing through said mounting, a housing surrounding said shank, an insulation member disposed between said shank and said housing, a fastening member secured to said shank to hold said parts in position, and an arrester detachably carried by said housing to ground one of its electrodes to said mounting and to electrically connect the other of its electrodes to said shank.

14. In combination, a binding post, a grounded mounting for the same, said binding post having: a shank? passing through: mounting,.. a housing: surrouruiing-v said. shank,v an insulation; memben disposedi between said" shank and saidi housing, a: fastening member: for. securing? said parts; in position: against. saidnmounting, a terminal carried." by said insulation member and beting; electrically connected:v to. saidshank, and an arrester having. one of its; electrodes abuttingiy engaging said fastening: member. and: the. other of its electrodes grounded. to. said: mounting.

15; combination, abinding post, a" grounded mounting: for the same, said binding post having: a shankv passing through said mounting, ahousing surrounding said shank, an insulation member: disposed between said shank' and" said housing, a fastening member: for securingsaid parts. in; position against. said: mQUILfiIIE-Z, a ten minal embedded in said? insulationimem'ben andz projecting: beyond saidhousing; said terminal: being electrically connectedto said shank; and: an arrester having; one of its electrodes" abutting?- 1y:'engagi'ng said fastening; member and the other of its electrodes; grounded to said mounting.

References Gitedin the of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,932,456 Gaston Oct. 31', 1933 2,304,334 B'oucheret'al". Dec. 8, 1942; 2,430,206 Beck" et' a1. Name, 1947: 

